Intestinal transplant is a surgical procedure in which a patient’s failed or diseased part of intestine is replaced with the intestine from a donor.

What are the indications of intestinal transplant?
Short gut syndrome (68% of cases) and functional bowel problems (15%) are the major sources of intestinal failure leading to intestinal transplantation.

Who cannot receive a transplant?
Patients with active/untreated infections, malignancies and with severe cardiac or pulmonary diseases cannot have an intestinal transplant.

Pre transplant procedures
As part of the pre transplant work up you will have to get certain tests done and will have to consult some doctors to confirm that you are fit for the transplant. Cross matching will be done to ensure your body does not have any antibodies against the transplanted intestine. Your transplant will be postponed or cancelled if you develop any infection or disease prior to your transplant. So it is important to eat healthy and stay fit.

Transplant surgery
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia .The diseased part of intestine is removed through a midline incision on the abdomen. Later the blood vessels are
connected to the transplanted intestine. The surgery lasts for about 10 hours.

After the transplant
You will be able to leave the hospital within two or three weeks. Immunosuppressants, the medication that prevents your body from rejecting the
intestine has to be taken daily without fail. You will have to strictly adhere to the diet, medications and follow ups as prescribed to stay without complications.